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K-State defense makes crucial stops

Wildcats allow WVU only one touchdown

MANHATTAN — Kansas State’s pass defense might still have had some singe marks from the three long touchdown plays it gave up to Baylor two weeks ago.

The wounds were rubbed a bit raw Saturday when West Virginia connected on a pair of long plays, a 50-yard pass from Clint Trickett to Ronald Carswell in the second quarter and a 43-yarder to Kevin White in the third period.

On both occasions, though, the Wildcat defense limited the damage by holding West Virginia to field goals. That kept the score close before the K-State offense kicked into gear in a 35-12 victory Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

“That was huge,” K-State safety Ty Zimmerman said. “We talked about that going in, that we can’t give up the big play. That’s what hurt us against Baylor. We went to work on that in practice, and we still have some things to correct, but all in all it was a good day.”

Zimmerman was part of a momentum-changing play late in the first half. The Mountaineers lined up for a 26-yard field goal attempt on fourth-and-7 from the KSU 9, but holder Michael Molinari ran the ball on a fake and was stopped for a 4-yard gain by Zimmerman and Blake Slaughter.

“We hadn’t seen it before but our guys did a good job keying on the keys,” Zimmerman said. “Our offense was kind of stalling out, and I think it created some momentum for us going into the second half.”

The defense all but sealed the victory with just under 10 minutes remaining when, holding a 21-12 lead, Zimmerman forced a fumble by Trickett that was recovered by safety Dante Barnett.

“It was a quarterback scramble and I was in coverage,” said Zimmerman, who made 12 tackles. “A guy got in my way, but the quarterback cut back, and I saw the ball loose and tried to get it out.

“Those plays are big for us. We always want to create turnovers and give our offense good field position.”

West Virginia had 221 total yards and 11 first downs in the first half, but in the second half it had 146 yards and seven first downs.

“I wasn’t happy with the big play, and maybe a couple of others,” coach Bill Snyder said of the defense. “We dramatically cut down on that, but we have to eliminate it.

“Our defense had bad field position a good portion of the time. They have made improvement, but I like the effort they are playing with. We still have to improve our tackling but you see guys flying around and being where they are supposed to be.”

REASON TO CELEBRATE — There was happiness and relief in the K-State locker room after snapping a three-game losing streak and posting the first Big 12 victory of the season.

“I watched the response in the locker room and they were excited, happy and spirited about it,” Snyder said. “I had mixed emotions. They deserve the opportunity to celebrate, and I’m pleased they did what they needed to do to get the opportunity.

“We’ve always been act like you’ve been there before. It’s quite obvious they haven’t been there before. They needed it, and I’m pleased they took the time to do it, and they realize they could be better than some think.”

A SOMBER BEGINNING — K-State’s traditional pregame skit involving Willie the Wildcat making a flying tackle on someone posing as the opponent’s mascot quickly went from cheers to silence.

The young man tackled Saturday had to be taken from the field by ambulance after hitting his head on the turf. His name was not available but a K-State spokesman reported he was not seriously injured.

QUICK KICKS

■ K-State DT Travis Britz blocked an extra point, his third blocked kick of the season (two field goals). He also had a pass deflection, his fourth of the year.

■ CB Dorrian Roberts made his first career interception.

■ OL Boston Stiverson saw his first action of the season after suffering a foot injury in fall camp.